compré
kom-PRÉ
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Ayer compré pan fresco en la panadería.
A1Yesterday I bought fresh bread at the bakery.
¿Qué te compré para tu cumpleaños?
A2What did I buy you for your birthday?
Compré el libro que me recomendaste la semana pasada.
A2I bought the book you recommended to me last week.
💡 Grammar Points
The Accent Mark is Key
The accent on the 'é' in 'compré' is essential! It tells you this is a past action ('I bought') and keeps it separate from 'yo compre' (the special form used for wishes).
One-Time Past Action
'Compré' uses the Preterite tense, which is for actions that started and finished completely in the past, like a single event: 'I bought the car yesterday'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'I bought' and 'He/She bought'
Mistake: "Using 'compré' when talking about someone else (e.g., 'Mi padre compré')."
Correction: Use 'compró' (with an accent on the 'o') for 'he/she bought': 'Mi padre compró un regalo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Result
Use 'compré' when the focus is on the fact that the buying action was completed and you now possess the item.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: compré
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'compré'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'compré' and 'compraba'?
'Compré' (Preterite) is used for a single, finished action in the past: 'I bought a shirt yesterday.' 'Compraba' (Imperfect) is used for repeated actions, descriptions, or ongoing background actions in the past: 'I used to buy shirts every month.'
Why does 'compré' need an accent mark?
The accent mark is required to stress the final syllable, which is characteristic of the 'yo' form in the simple past (Preterite) for most -ar verbs. Without it, the word would sound like a different verb form.